In this file photo, the Anaheim Ducks’ Cam Fowler controls the puck past Los Angeles Kings’ Matt Frattin (21) in the third period of the inaugural NHL Stadium Series game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Jan. 25, 2014. Anaheim Ducks won 3-0. Fowler has been a top contributor on offense this season, but suffered a knee injury this week. (Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News file) ¬

The Ducks suffered a big loss on the eve of their biggest game of the season. Defenseman Cam Fowler will be sidelined for between three and five weeks after suffering a torn ligament in his left knee during Friday’s victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

Fowler, 22, was the Ducks’ fourth-leading scorer with 36 points (six goals, 30 assists) in 67 games before his injury Friday. He is playing his fourth NHL season with the club and is four points away from matching his career high set during his rookie season in 2010-11.

“It’s not what we wanted, but we will get through it,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said in a statement released by the club Wednesday. “We know Cam will work hard to get back, and in the meantime, guys will step up. Another example of why having depth is important.”

In fact, Stephane Robidas’ role becomes more important for the Ducks, starting with Thursday night’s battle for first place in the Pacific Division against the Sharks in San Jose. Robidas made his Ducks debut Tuesday, his first game since breaking his leg while with the Dallas Stars on Nov. 29.

Robidas was acquired March 4 from the Stars in order to bolster the Ducks’ defensive corps, adding a more veteran presence. The 37-year-old has played 872 games in the NHL with the Ducks, Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens.

In addition, the Ducks are likely to rely more heavily on Luca Sbisa during Fowler’s absence. Sbisa played perhaps his best games of the season in Saturday’s victory over the Kings and Friday’s win over the Avalanche.

Elliott Teaford covers the Clippers and the NBA for the Southern California News Group. He has written about hockey for the past five years and is looking forward to thawing out after so many days and nights sitting in frozen rinks. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and '10. He once made a jump shot over future Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton during a pickup game in 1980 at Cypress College.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.